Illuminating decorative bow

ABSTRACT

An illuminating decorative bow includes an elongated fabric ribbon being folded to form a decorative bow and an illuminating arrangement. The illuminating arrangement includes a light string longitudinally extended along the fabric ribbon and folded with fabric ribbon to form the decorative bow, wherein the light string includes a plurality of illuminating elements spacedly provided along the fabric ribbon for producing an illuminating effect for the decorative bow.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This is a non-provisional application of a provisional applicationhaving an application No. 61/068,332 and a filing date of Mar. 05, 2008.

BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a decorative bow, and more particularlyto an illuminating decorative bow, which is capable to produce anilluminating effect on an ordinary decorative bow, so as to enhance adecoration effect.

2. Description of Related Arts

Mostly at night, lamp strips are always used for decorating trees,architectures, houses, or indoors decoration to bring a festivalatmosphere in the festivals, such as Christmas or New Year' Eve. Thelamp strip is a plurality of lamps connected in series or parallel bywires, forming a strip of lamps. The lamps can be always shining or setto glitter. However, such a lamp is usually big in size, so that it onlysuitable for decorating a large area.

LEDs as an illuminating light have been widely used in decoration areaindoors or outdoors. Due to its small size and long life span, the LEDbecomes more and more popular. The LED strips are usually hung aroundthe Christmas trees, so as to producing an illuminating effect.Especially in a dark place or at night, the Christmas tree becomesshining and more beautiful, bringing people happy environment and goodmood. Also the LED strip can be used in the similar circumstance.However, the LED strip can only shine or glitter and with no furtherenhanced effect.

The decorative bows are always used for decorating walls, or coveringholes on the wall, but theses decorative bows can not been seen atnight, or when it is dark. The decorative bows are also wildly used atparties for decorating the hall and the stage. However, when the lightis turned off, all these conventional decorative bows disappear.

Further more, the conventional decorative bows have been developed tomeet the trend and to make life more colorful. However, only patters andcolors have been changed during the past days, which is obviously cannot keep up the fast changing fashion. Therefore, a breakthrough andinnovation are needed for these traditional decoration bows.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

A main object of the present invention is to provide an illuminatingdecorative bow, which is capable to produce an illuminating effect on anordinary decorative bow, so as to enhance a decoration effect.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an illuminatingdecorative bow, which is capable of functioning as decoration at nightor dark place.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an illuminatingdecorative bow, which is made of at least one elongated fabric ribbonwhich comprises a light string extending along the elongated fabricribbon, so as to produce an illuminating effect on the decorative bow.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an illuminatingdecorative bow comprising a plurality of optical fibers scattered withinthe decorative bow, so as to produce an illuminating effect on thedecorative bow.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an illuminatingdecorative bow, wherein any product, such as bow or bowtie, made of theribbon adapted to incorporate with the illumination device of thepresent invention. In other words, the user is able to tie the ribbon toform the bow or bowtie for enhancing the aesthetic appearance with thelight effect of the present invention.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an illuminatingdecorative bow of any pattern for decoration purpose.

Accordingly, in order to accomplish the above object, the presentinvention provides an illuminating decorative bow, which comprises adecorative bow made by at least an elongated fabric ribbon, a pluralityof illuminating elements spacedly extended along the fabric ribbon ofthe decorative bow for illuminating the decorative bow, and a powersupply arrangement comprising a power supply and a switch connected tothe power supply, and then connected to the illuminating elements forsupplying power to the illuminating elements.

These and other objectives, features, and advantages of the presentinvention will become apparent from the following detailed description,the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an illuminating decorative bow accordingto a first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a partially enlarged view of the illuminating decorative bowaccording to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2B is a sectional view of the illuminating decorative bow accordingto the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an alternative mode of the illuminating decorative bowaccording to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the alternative mode of the illuminatingarrangement and a second preferred embodiment according to the first andsecond preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the illuminating decorative bowaccording to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates the LED serial connectivity of the illuminatingelements according to the above first preferred embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the illuminating decorative bow with theDC power supply of the illuminating fabric product according to theabove preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the DC power supply of the illuminatingdecorative bow according to the above preferred embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the DC power supply of theilluminating decorative bow according to the above preferred embodimentof the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2A, and 2B of the drawings, an illuminatingdecorative bow according to a first preferred embodiment of the presentinvention is illustrated, in which the illuminating decorative bowcomprises a decorative bow 1, an illuminating arrangement 2 comprising aplurality of illuminating elements 21 scattered on the decorative bow 1for illuminating the decorative bow 1, and a power supply arrangement 3connected to the illuminating elements 21 for supplying power to theilluminating elements 21.

The decorative bow 1 is embodied as a fabric decorative bow, which ismade of at least an elongated fabric ribbon 11. That is to say theelongated fabric ribbon 11 is folded to forming the decorative bow 1.Also, a plurality of elongated fabric ribbons 11 may be used to make thefabric decorative bow.

The illuminating arrangement 2 further comprises a bendable electricwire 22 electrically connecting the illuminating elements 21, whereinthe illuminating elements 21 are spacedly provided along the electricwire 22 to form a light string. The light string longitudinally extendsalong the elongated fabric ribbon 11 and folded with fabric ribbon 11 toform the decorative bow, so as to produce an illuminating effect on thedecorative bow 1.

Alternatively, the elongated fabric ribbon 11, having a double-layerstructure, has two light transmitting layers forming an elongated hollowcore 112 therebetween, so that the light string is longitudinallydisposed between the two light transmitting layers of the fabric ribbon11 end-to-end. Two end portions of the elongated fabric ribbon 11 arefastened with two end portions of the electric wire 22 of the lightstring respectively, so as to securely receive the light string insidethe elongated fabric ribbon 11.

The elongated fabric ribbon 11 is made of transparent or translucentmaterial, so that the light from the light string penetrates through thetwo light transmitting layers of the elongated fabric ribbon 11. Inparticularly, the two light transmitting layers are two fabric netsrespectively allowing the light of each of the illuminating elements 21passing through. Therefore, no matter how the fabric ribbon 11 is foldedto form the decorative bow 1, the light can pass through either side ofthe fabric ribbon 11.

Alternatively, the elongated fabric ribbon 11 is loosely interwovenforming apertures distributed along the elongated fabric ribbon 11, sothat the light string inside emits light through the apertures of theelongated fabric ribbon 11. It is worth mentioning that the electricwire 22 is made of bendable conductive metal for not only electricallyconnecting the illuminating elements 21 with each other but alsosubstantially providing a predetermined stiffness for the fabric ribbon11 to retain the decorative bow 1 in a predetermined shape especiallythe curving portion of the decorative bow 1. In other words, even thoughthe fabric ribbon 11 is made of soft material, the electric wire 22forms a skeleton to retain the shape of the decorative bow 1 while theelectric wire 22 also provides a bendable feature for the fabric ribbon11 being bent and twisted to form the decorative bow 1.

Each of the illuminating elements 21 of the light string is LED, whichis popular in decoration area due to it small size and long life span.In addition, the LED has the features of low energy consumption andlower heat generation. The illuminating elements 21 can be embodies asdifferent colors and/or different flashing patterns to match the colorof the elongated fabric ribbon 11, so as to produce a betterilluminating effect on the elongated fabric ribbon 11.

It is worth mentioning that each LED is sealedly covered by resin so asto be waterproof. The connection of the LED of the illuminating element21 and the wire is also sealedly covered by resin with LED. Therefore,the illuminating decorative bow can be used outdoors, and the LEDs willnot turn off accidentally.

The power supply arrangement 3 comprises a power supply 31 and a switch32 electrically connected with the battery, wherein the switch 32electrically connected with the electric wire 22 to operatively controlthe illuminating elements 21 in an on-and-off manner so as to supplypower to the illuminating elements 21.

The power supply 31 is embodied as a battery-type power supply, which isordinary AA batter, Li battery or small button battery. The Li buttonbattery is small in size, which can be portably used. FIG. 6 illustratesthe LED serial connectivity of the illuminating elements 21 via the DCpower supply 31. Alternatively, the power supply 31 can be an A/C typepower supply having an electric socket for electrically connecting tothe electric wire 22 to provide power to the illuminating elements 21.The power supply 31 also comprises a converter for connecting theelectric wire 22 to the A/C power supply.

Therefore, when the power supply 31 supplies power to the illuminatingelements 21, the illuminating elements 21 illuminate along the fabricribbon 11 of the decorative bow 1, so that the illuminating decorativebow not only decorates the environment in the day, but also decoratesthe environment in the dark or at night.

The power supply arrangement 3 further comprises an extension adapter 33provided at a free end of the electric wire 22 to electrically couplewith another extension adapter 33 or the power supply 31. Accordingly,when two or more fabric ribbons 11 are needed to form the decorative bow1, the light strings within the fabric ribbons 11 are electricallycoupled via the extension adapters 33. Once the decorative bow 1 isformed, the power supply 31 is electrically coupled with the lightstings via the extension adapter 33. Therefore, the overall length ofthe fabric ribbons 11 will not be limited by coupling the fabric ribbons11 end-to-end.

As shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the power supply 31 comprises a battery casing311 receiving a battery 312 therein to electrically couple with theelectric wire 22 and a fixation element 313 provided at a rear wall ofthe battery casing 311 to detachably affix to the fabric ribbon 11 so asto retain the power supply 31 in position. Accordingly, the fixationelement 313 is a fixation pin longitudinally provided at the rear wallof the battery casing 311 for detachably affixing to the fabric ribbon11. As shown in FIG. 7, the fabric ribbon 11 is folded into thedecorative bow that the fixation element 313 is affixed to the tyingportion of the bow.

In addition, the illuminating decorative bow further comprises a sensor41 and a speaker 42 electrically coupling with the electric wire 22,preferably by the extension adapter 33, to electrically link with theilluminating elements 21 of the light string such that when the sensor41 is activated, the illuminating elements 21 will generate light effectwhile the speaker 42 will generate sound effect as well. Preferably, thesensor 41 is a motion sensor to detect the motion of the illuminatingdecorative bow, especially when the user holds the gift with theilluminating decorative bow attached thereto. The speaker 42 has abuilt-in music program to generate the sound effect. It is worth tomention that the sensor 41 and the speaker 42 can be electricallyconnected to the illuminating elements 21 in serial connection via theDC power supply 31.

Alternatively, referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 of the drawings, theilluminating arrangement 2 comprises a plurality of optical fibers 23and a light source 24 optically connected with the optical fibers 23, soas to provide lights to these optical fibers 23. When the optical fiber23 is folded, the optical fiber 23 is capable of illuminating at thefolded point.

It is worth mentioning that each of the optical fibers 23 is made ofbendable material for not only providing the light effect of thedecorative bow 1 but also substantially providing a predeterminedstiffness for the fabric ribbon 11 to retain the decorative bow 1 in apredetermined shape especially the curving portion of the decorative bow1. In other words, even though the fabric ribbon 11 is made of softmaterial, the optical fiber 23 forms a skeleton to retain the shape ofthe decorative bow 1 while the optical fiber 23 also provides a bendablefeature for the fabric ribbon 11 being bent and twisted to form thedecorative bow 1.

The power supply 31 is connected with the light source 24 through aswitch so as to provide power to the light source 24. When the lightsource 24 is illuminating, the light source transmits lights to each ofthe optical fibers 23.

The power supply 31 is embodied as a battery-type power supply, which isordinary AA batter, Li battery or small button battery. The Li buttonbattery is small in size, which can be portably used. Alternatively, thepower supply 31 can be an A/C type power supply having an electricsocket for electrically connecting to the light source 24 to providelight to the optical fibers 23. The power supply 31 also comprises aconverter for connecting the light source 24 to the A/C power supply.

The light source 24 is mounted within the decorative bow 1 in a hiddenmanner, and optical fibers 23 are extended outwardly from the lightsource 24 along the fabric ribbon 11 of the decorative bow 1 so as toilluminate the decorative bow 1.

Referring to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 of the drawings, an illuminatingdecorative bow according to a second preferred embodiment of the presentinvention is illustrated. The decorative bow is embodies as a branch offlowers, wherein the flowers are made by the fabric ribbons 11.

The illuminating arrangement 2 comprises a plurality of optical fibers23 and a light source 24 optically connected with the optical fibers 23,so as to provide lights to these optical fibers 23.

The power supply 31 is connected with the light source 24 through aswitch so as to provide power to the light source 24. When the lightsource 24 is illuminating, the light source transmits lights to each ofthe optical fibers 23.

The power supply 31 is embodied as a battery-type power supply, which isordinary AA batter, Li battery or small button battery. The Li buttonbattery is small in size, which can be portably used. Alternatively, thepower supply can be an A/C type power supply having an electric socketfor electrically connecting to the light source 24 to provide light tothe optical fibers 23. The power supply also comprises a converter forconnecting the light source 24 to the A/C power supply.

The light source 24 is mounted within the flowers of the decorative bowin a hidden manner, and the optical fibers 23 is extend outwardly fromthe light source 24 along the fabric ribbons 11 to form the flowers soas to illuminate the branch of flowers.

It is worth mentioning that the light string as mentioned in the firstembodiment can be used as a substitution of the optical fiber 23 toextend within the fabric ribbon 11 to form the flower of the decorativebow as shown in the second embodiment.

The illuminating decorative bow can be mounted on the wall or otherplace for decoration purpose. Therefore, such an illuminating decorativebow can illuminate at dark place or at night to still function as adecoration.

The illuminating decorative bow also can be sewed at edges of clothes,hat or many others to produce an illuminating effect on clothes. Usercan wear these clothes or hat in club, at party, or even on stage.Definitely, the user wearing such clothes or hat is more shining andattractive among the people. In addition, the fabric ribbon 11 can bemade of PVC material to product tree skirt, stocking, hat, clothing,carpet, table cover and runner, chair cover and sashes, window curtainsand drape, etc . . . , for producing the illuminating effect on thefabric so as to enhance the aesthetic appearance of the product.

One skilled in the art will understand that the embodiment of thepresent invention as shown in the drawings and described above isexemplary only and not intended to be limiting.

It will thus be seen that the objects of the present invention have beenfully and effectively accomplished. It embodiments have been shown anddescribed for the purposes of illustrating the functional and structuralprinciples of the present invention and is subject to change withoutdeparture from such principles. Therefore, this invention includes allmodifications encompassed within the spirit and scope of the followingclaims.

1. An illuminating decorative bow, comprising: an elongated fabricribbon being folded to form a decorative bow; and an illuminatingarrangement, comprising: a light string longitudinally extended alongsaid fabric ribbon, wherein said light string comprises a plurality ofilluminating elements spacedly provided along said fabric ribbon forproducing an illuminating effect for said decorative bow.
 2. Theilluminating decorative bow, as recited in claim 1, wherein said fabricribbon has an elongated hollow core that said light string is slidablydisposed within said hollow core of said fabric ribbon.
 3. Theilluminating decorative bow, as recited in claim 2, wherein said fabricribbon comprises two light transmitting layers forming said hollow coretherebetween, such that said light string is longitudinally disposedbetween said light transmitting layers for generating light through saidlight transmitting layers.
 4. The illuminating decorative bow, asrecited in claim 3, wherein said two light transmitting layers are twofabric nets respectively for allowing said light passing therethrough.5. The illuminating decorative bow, as recited in claim 1, wherein saidlight string further comprises a bendable electric wire not onlyelectrically connecting with said illuminating elements but also forminga skeleton of said decorative bow to provide a predetermined stiffnessfor said fabric ribbon to retain said decorative bow in a predeterminedshape.
 6. The illuminating decorative bow, as recited in claim 2,wherein said light string further comprises a bendable electric wire notonly electrically connecting with said illuminating elements but alsoforming a skeleton of said decorative bow to provide a predeterminedstiffness for said fabric ribbon to retain said decorative bow in apredetermined shape.
 7. The illuminating decorative bow, as recited inclaim 4, wherein said light string further comprises a bendable electricwire not only electrically connecting with said illuminating elementsbut also forming a skeleton of said decorative bow to provide apredetermined stiffness for said fabric ribbon to retain said decorativebow in a predetermined shape.
 8. The illuminating decorative bow, asrecited in claim 5, wherein said illuminating arrangement furthercomprises an extension adapter provided at a free end of said electricwire for electrically coupling with another said electric wire so as toprolong an overall length of said light string corresponding to saidfabric ribbon.
 9. The illuminating decorative bow, as recited in claim6, wherein said illuminating arrangement further comprises an extensionadapter provided at a free end of said electric wire for electricallycoupling with another said electric wire so as to prolong an overalllength of said light string corresponding to said fabric ribbon.
 10. Theilluminating decorative bow, as recited in claim 7, wherein saidilluminating arrangement further comprises an extension adapter providedat a free end of said electric wire for electrically coupling withanother said electric wire so as to prolong an overall length of saidlight string corresponding to said fabric ribbon.
 11. The illuminatingdecorative bow, as recited in claim 1, wherein said illuminatingelements are LEDs spacedly provided along said fabric ribbon.
 12. Theilluminating decorative bow, as recited in claim 3, wherein saidilluminating elements are LEDs spacedly provided along said fabricribbon.
 13. The illuminating decorative bow, as recited in claim 10,wherein said illuminating elements are LEDs spacedly provided along saidfabric ribbon.
 14. The illuminating decorative bow, as recited in claim1, wherein said illuminating elements are optical fibers extending alongsaid fabric ribbon and optically connecting to a light source.
 15. Theilluminating decorative bow, as recited in claim 3, wherein saidilluminating elements are optical fibers extending along said fabricribbon and optically connecting to a light source.
 16. The illuminatingdecorative bow, as recited in claim 10, wherein said illuminatingelements are optical fibers extending along said fabric ribbon andoptically connecting to a light source.
 17. The illuminating decorativebow, as recited in claim 1, wherein said illuminating arrangementfurther comprises a power supply detachably coupling with said electricwire to electrically link with said illuminating elements and a switchoperatively controlling said illuminating elements in an on-and-offmanner.
 18. The illuminating decorative bow, as recited in claim 3,wherein said illuminating arrangement further comprises a power supplydetachably coupling with said electric wire to electrically link withsaid illuminating elements and a switch operatively controlling saidilluminating elements in an on-and-off manner.
 19. The illuminatingdecorative bow, as recited in claim 13, wherein said illuminatingarrangement further comprises a power supply detachably coupling withsaid electric wire to electrically link with said illuminating elementsand a switch operatively controlling said illuminating elements in anon-and-off manner.
 20. The illuminating decorative bow, as recited inclaim 13, wherein said power supply is detachably coupled with saidelectric wire via said extension adapter.